Quin-top



April 7, 1953 R. NElLsoN 2,633,664

QUINQToP Filed Jan. 5, 1951 5 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR. fger `,/7/6/2/ l so n ATTD RN'EYS R. NEILSON April 7, 1953 QUIN-TOP 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Jan. 5, 1951 I Slim INVENTOR. Eby er .iVm/Zaan,

ATTE! RN EYS Patented Apr. 7, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE QUIN-TOP Roger Neilson, New York, N. Y. Application January 5, 1951, Serial No. 204,637

6 Claims.

This invention relates to fa toy, and more par-- ticularly to a toy which will enable #a person to simultaneously spin a plurality of revoluble tops.

The object of the invention is to provide a toy wherein a plurality 'of tops can be simultaneously spun upon actuation of the toy 'so that a plurality kof spinning tops will provide a source of amusement or recrea-tionv to the user.

Another object of the invention is to provide a toy to be used for simultaneously spinning a plurality of tops which may be ve in number, the toy being constructed so that upon application of a'downwardly directed pressure there-on, the tops will be released and spun, the toy of the present invention |adapted to be readily rewound so that it can be used over and over again.

A further object of the invention is to provide a toy which is extremely simple and inexpensive to manufacture.

Other `objects and advantages will be apparent during the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this application, and in which like numerals are used to designate like parts throughout the same.

Figure 1 is a top plan view of the toy spinning device, constructed according to the present invention.

Figure 2 is a side velevational view oi the toy spinning device of the present invention.

Figure 3 is a bottom plan view of the device, with two of the rotatable tops in section to villustrate the gear arrangement.

Figure 4 is a side elevational view of the -device of the present invention, with parts broken away and in ysection 'and showing the device in the set position.

Figure 5 is a sectional 5--5 of Figure 4.

Figure 6 is :a view similar to Figure 4, but with the parts in the unlocked position.

Figure '7 is a top plan view of the base showing the ring gear and ratchet assembly.

Figure 8 is a side elevational view `of the iassembly of Figure 7.

Figure 9 is a view similar to Figure 8, but taken at 90 thereto. y

Figure 10 is a vertical sectional view taken through the body member.

Figure 11 is a bottom plan view member of Figure 10.

Figure 12 is an enlarged sectional view showing one of the sockets for receiving the shank of the top.

Figure 13 is a sectional view iaakeri on the line |3|3 of Figure 14,

view taken on the line of the body Figure 14 is a sectional view taken on the line |4|4 of Figure 12.

Figurel l5 is a fragmentary bottom plan view showing a socket.

Figure 16 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view showing the method of winding and unwinding the device.

Figure 17 is a top plan view Figure 18 is a vertical sectional view through the cap.

Figure 19 is a bottom plan view of the cap.

Referring in detail to the drawings, the numeral 30 designates Iany one of a plurality of revoluble tops, and each of the tops 30 includes a conical bottom portion 3|, Figure 2, and a circular disk portion 32 which is arranged on the upper end of the support portion 3|. Extending upwardly from the center of the disk portion 32 is a vertically disposed shank 33, and a portion of the shank 33 is provided with gear teeth 34 for a purpose to be later described. Extending downwardly from the upper end 0f the shank 33 is a hole 35, Figure 14, and a pair of diametrically opposed slits 36 communicate with the hole 35 for a purpose to be later described.

The device of the present invention is shown in the drawings being used for simultaneously spinning ve of the tops 30, but it is to be understood that a greater or less number of these tops may be spun at one time if desired. In Figures 10 and 11 there is shown the body member which is indicated by the numeral 31, and the body member 31 includes a vertically disposed sleeve 38 that is provided with a longitudinally extending bore 46. Extending outwardly from the lower end of the sleeve 38 is a horizontally disposed flange 39, and the flange 33 is provided with a plurality of spaced sockets 4|). A pin 4| is arranged in each of the sockets 4|), the pins 4| `depending from top portions 45 that are arranged over each of the sockets 4D.

Arranged in the lower end of the sleeve 38 land surrounding the bore 46 is an annular recess 42. The recess 42 is shaped so as to provide ratchet teeth 43 in the -sleeve 38 for a purpose to be subsequently described. The sleeve 38 is further provided with a cut-out 44, the cut-out 44 being arranged in the lower end of the sleeve 38 and having a substantially L-shape, Figure 10.

Referring to Figures '7, 8 and 9 there is shown the base 4`| which forms part of this invention. The base 41 includes an annular collar 43 that is adapted to be rotatably arranged in the annular recess 42, and the upper end of the collar 48 is provided with inclined ratchet teeth 43 for engaging the ratchet teeth 43 on the sleeve 38.

of the `coil spring. taken Thus, the provision of these ratchet teeth enables the base to be locked against accidental rotation of the base or accidental rotation of the tops 3@ with respect to body member 31. The base 6I further includes a vertically disposed stem 55 that projects through the bore 46 in the sleeve B, and the stem 58 is provided with a slot 5l in its upper end, Figures '7 and 8. Arranged around the bottom of the collar'48 is a ring gear 52 having teeth thereon for engagingv the teeth 34 on the shanks 33 of the tops 30. A lip 53 is arranged on the lower surface of the ring gear 52, and the lip 53 provides a hand grip for use in winding the toy.

In Figures 4, 6 and 16, there is shownv the;coil;

spring 54 which surrounds thestern. 50 of. the base 4I. The coil spring 54, Figure 17, has one of its ends 55 seated in the cut-out 44 in the sleeve 38,.

while the other or upper end of the coil spring 54 which is designatedby the numeral. 56-is seated in the slot 5i in the upper end of. the stem 50. The coil spring 54 can be wound by means of. the lip 53, as shown in Figure 16, andf then when. the energy in thewound coilspring. 54 is released, the ring gear 52 will be rotated to thereby rotate. the tops 30 and cause these tops to be simultaneously spun and` thus provide a. sourcev ot recreation andv amusement to the user or. onlookers.

In Figures 18 and 19 there is shown a cap which is indicated by the numeral 521, and the. cap 51 includes a top portion 58 and an annular portion 55 that surrounds the upper endA of the stem 55. TheY cap 5I is further provided. with a partition 6@ which is adapted to be seated in the slot 5i in the uppei` end of thestem 5i!-l From the foregoing, itis apparent thatfa device has been provided for simultaneously spinning a plurality of tops, such as the tops 3i). The tops 3G are initially arranged so that the upper ends of the shanks S3 project into the sockets 40, the pins 4i projecting into the holes 35- in the shanks 53. Then, with one hand, the user grips the body member 3i' and with the other hand grips the lip 53 and rotatesthe base 41 against the tension of the coil spring 54. After the base 41 has been rotated the proper amount, the lip 53v can be released and the' inclined ratchet teeth 43 and 49 will prevent accidental unwinding or rotation of the base 47. Then,` when it is desired to release or spin the tops 30., the user merely eX- erts a downwardly directed pressure on the cap 5'! to thereby cause the base 47 to move from. the position shown in Figure 4 to the position shown in Figure 6. This frees the ratchet teeth 49 from the ratchet teeth 43 so that the coil spring 54 will rotate the base 4?. As the base 47 rotates, the ring gear 52 will rotate the tops 30, since the ring gear 52 is arranged in meshing engagement with the teeth 34 on the Shanks 33 of the tops. The Shanks of the tops will automatically be released from the sockets 46. The various parts of the device can be made of any suitable material, and the size may be varied as desired. In winding the spring 54, the member 3i is held stationary while the baseV 4'! is rotated.

Having described the invention, what isV claimed as new is:

1. In a toy for simultaneously spinning a plurality of tops, a body member provide-d with a vertically disposed bore, a base having a stem projecting through said bore, a coil spring circumposed on said stem, a ring gear provided on said base, there being a plurality of spaced sockets arranged in said body member, a top positioned in each of said sockets and having gear teeth for 4 meshing with said gear ring, and a cap mounted on the upper end of said stem.

2. In a toy for simultaneously spinning a plurality of tops, a body member provided with a vertically disposed bore, a base having a stem projecting through said bore, a coil spring circumposed on said stem, a ring gear provided on said base, there being a plurality of spaced sockets arranged in'said body member, a top positioned in each or said sockets and having gear teeth for meshing with said gear ring, a cap mounted on the upper end of said stem, and a lip arranged on the bottom of said base for Winding the toy.

3. In ai toy' for simultaneously spinning a plurality of tops, a. body member provided with a verticallyl disposedv bore, a base having a stem projecting through said bore, a coil spring circumposed on said stem, a ring gear provided on said base, there beingv aV plurality of spaced sockets.arrangedinsaidbody member, a top positioned inv each of said, sockets and having gear teethv for meshing with said gear ring, a cap mounted onthe upper end of said stem, a lip ar.- ranged on the bottom of said base for winding the toy, ratchet. teeth in said, body member concentric with saidbase, and ratchet teeth on said base concentric. with saidfstem adapted to coact withthe ratchet teeth in said4 body, for preventing accidental rotation oi said base, said tops being rotatably arranged. in said sockets.

4.. The apparatus. as. describedY in claim 3 wherein. said cap is adapted to be depressed when the tops. are. to be actuated..

5. In atoy for simultaneously spinning a plurality of tops, each. of the tops comprising a lower conical Support portionr a circular disk portion mounted on the upper'end of said support portion, a vertically disposed shank extending. upwardly from. the center of said disk portion, a plurality, of Ycircumferentially arranged teethv on said shank, there being a hole arranged in the center ofv said shank and extending downwardly from the top thereof, a body member including a central vertically disposed sleeve provided with a longitudinally extending bore, a horizontally disposed nange extending from the lower edge of said sleevel and provided with a plurality of spaced sockets for receiving therein the upper ends of said Shanks, a pin arranged in each of said sockets and projecting into the holes in said Shanks, there being a circular recess in the bottom of said sleeve and providing ratchet teeth in said sleeve, said sleeve having a cutout in its lower end, a base including a vertically disposed stem projecting rotatably through the bore in said body member, there being a slitin the upper end of said stem, an annular collar surrounding said stem and projecting into said recess and provided withY inclined teeth for engaging said ratchet teeth, a ring gear arranged around said collar for engaging the gear teeth Von the Shanks of said tops, a lip positioned on said ring gear and adapted to be engaged by the users fingers for winding the toy, and a coil spring circumposed on said stern and having its lower end positioned in the cut-out in said sleeve and its upper end position in the slit in said stem.

6. In a toy for simultaneously spinning a plurality of tops, each of the tops comprising a lower conical support portion, a circular disk portion mounted on the upper end of said support portion, a vertically disposed shank extending upwardly from the center of said disk portion, a plurality of circumferentially arranged teeth on said shank, there being a hole arranged in the center of said shank and extending downwardly from the top thereof, a body member including a central vertically disposed sleeve provided with a longitudinally extending bore, a horizontally disposed flange extending from the lower edge of said sleeve and provided with -a plurality or" spaced Sockets for receiving therein the upper ends of said Shanks, a pin arranged in each of said sockets and projecting into the holes in said Shanks, there being a circular recess in the bottom of said sleeve and providing ratchet teeth in said sleeve, said sleeve having a cut-out in its lower end, a base including a vertically disposed stem projecting rotatably through the bore in said body member, there being a slit in the upper end of said stem, an annular collar surrounding said stem and projecting into said recess and provided with inclined teeth for engaging said ratchet teeth, a ring gear arranged around said 6 collar for engaging the gear teeth on the Shanks of said tops, a lip positioned on said ring gear and adapted to be engaged by the users iingers for winding the toy, a coil spring circumposed on said stem and having its lower end positioned in the cut-out in said sleeve and its upper end positioned in the slit in said stem, and a cap mounted on the upper end of said stern and provided with a partition seated in the slit in said stem.

ROGER NEILSON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 989,286 Phenice Apr. 11, 1911 1,144,938 Howard June 29, 1915 20 1,907,419 Wetzell May 2, 1933 

